Caustic tank for dry-cleaning systems



1927. 3 May M. M. SCHWAB ET AL CAUSTIC TANK FOR DRY CLEANING SYSTEMS Filed Aug. 2. 1924 gmwrifoz abtozweq Patented May 31, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MAURICE M. SGHWAB AND SAMUEL S. SCHWAB, OF TOLEDO, OHIO.

CAUSTIC TANK FOR DRY-CLEANING SYSTEMS.

Application filed August 2, 1924. Serial No. 729,704.

Our invention has for its object to provide an eliicient means for removing the soiling materials from the liquid used in dry cleaning systems, wherein the dirty liquid is diffused through a caustic solution which re-,

acts upon the soiling materials, especially the greases which become insoluble. The liquid may be kept in constant circulation, being cleaned and purified as it is used.

It has been found that through the use of certain chemicals, the cleaning liquid used in dr cleaning systems may be purified and clari ed while the system is in operat on. Thisreduces the loss of liquid and provides continuous flow of liquid through the cleaning liquid rises to the top of the tank and is drawn off. Thus we have provided a tank which removes a greater 'portion of the SOlling material while the machine is in operation.

The invention may be contained in structures which may vary in form and, to illustrate a practical applicatlon of thennvention, we have selected a tank containing the invention and shall describe it hereinafter. The tank selected as an example is shown in the following drawing.

The figure in the drawing is a view, part in section showing the caustic tank and pipes for connecting the tank with other parts of a dry cleaning system.

The cleaning liquid, used indry oleamng systems, is thoroughly agitated with the fabric to remove any soiling material. It is then drawn from the fabric cleaning mar chine by various pipes in the system which are connected so that there is a continuous circulation of the liquid. Circulation of the liquid through the system is produced by means of the ump l which draws the liq uid from the cliaaning machine and directs it into a container by means of a pipe 2 where the cleansing liquid is treated with a caustic solution. The container 3 is partly filled with a caustic solution that may be placed in the container by any suitable means. If desired, it may be poured into a funnel 4 that connects with a pipe 2 and may be forced with the cleansing liquid by itself into the container 3 where the caustic solution will collect in the bottom.

The container 3 has a conical bottom 5, and a drum 6 is located in the conical shaped bottom 5 and so as to be substantially submerged within the caustic solution contained in the container. The drum 6 is preferably conical shaped and conforms substantially to the cone shape of the bottom of the container 3, it being maintained in spaced relation with respect to the bottom 5 by means of suitable brackets 7. The top 8 of the drum is also preferably cone shaped to confine the cleansing liquid within the solution while the mixture is being thoroughly stirred by the entrance of the cleansing liquid into the container 3'. The bottom of the drum 6 is provided with an opening 9, while the top of the drum is provided with an opening 10. These openings are comparatively small and an inwardly extending flange 11 is located around the opening for preventing the upward outward wash of the liquids along the side of the drum. The pipe 2 opens toward but terminates at a point somewhat above the bottom of the drum 6 and sufficiently remote from the opening 9 to prevent a material amount of the liquid entering through the pipe 2 to pass out through the opening 9. Thus the cleansing liquid by reason of its smaller specific gravity rises through the drum, although it is directed at some speed downwards towards the surface of the drum. The somewhat rapid movement of the liquid causes a thorough mixture with the caustic solution and a thorough cleansing of the liquid from the substances that will be attacked by the solution. The liquid gradually rises to the top of the drum at a much reduced speed and escapes from the drum through the opening 10. This movement of the liquid in the drum causes a continuous and rapid movement of the caustic solution within the drum "and a slow movement of the caustic solution through the drum since the caustic solution is caused to move through the opening 10 at a slow rate by reason of the movement of the cleansing liquid through the opening 10 which moves at a rate reduced inversely proportional to the sizes of the opening 10 and this slow movement of the caustic solution from the interior of the drum induced by the moving liguid causes the caustic solution to move slow y down over the cone shaped surface of the top and over the cone shaped surface of the bottom of the container 3 and finally enter the opening 9 of the drum. During this slow movement of the caustic solution it has opportunity to deposit outside of the drum the heavier materials that may have been collected from the cleansing liquid within the drum and thus the caustic solution that enters the drum 6 through the opening 9 is cleaner and in better condition to act upon or remove the substances that may be prought into the drum with the cleansing he upper end of the drum 6 is covered by an inverted cone shaped baflie 12 that may be supported by suitable brackets 13 on the upper end of the drum 6; The baiile 12 being located above the opening 10 of the drum, the cleansing liquid will be caused to spread laterally and be delivered around the edge 14 of the inverted cone shaped baflle 12. This causes the cleansing liquid to first collect within the bafile 12 where it is given opportunity to become quiet and thus enable the heavier materials brought over from the cleansing machine to become separated from the cleansing liquid after it has been treated by the caustic solution. After going through or beneath the cone at an exceedingly slow rate it rises to the upper portion of the container where it is given furthez'opportunity to ermit substances to deposit from the liquid 1 The outlet from the container 3 is through the pipey15. which is located at the top of the container. In order to revent concentrated movement of the liquid to the outlet along a more or less direct line from the lower portion of the container 3 and so as to draw only from the top of the container 3, a battle 16 is located at the end of the pipe 15 and preferably the end of the pipe 15 extends to near the center of the top of the container 3. This distributes the movement of the liquid to the outlet from all parts of the top of the container 3, giving every opportunity for the heavier materials that have been treated with the caustic solution to separate themselves from the cleansing liquid and to maintain the niain portion of the cleansing liquid contained in the container 3 in a quiet state and draw ofi only the cleaner portions as it is formed.

The cleaning liquid asses out of the container 3 through the pipe 15 and is further acted upon in other parts of the system.

The container 3 is provided with thermo valves that are held closed by a suitable material such as ametal that melts at a low temperature and are constructed so as to open when the temperature of the surrounding atmosphere or air rises above a certain point in the manner well known in the art. The outlets from the valves communicate with subterranean tanks and prevents not onl loss of the liquid but also the injury an damage of conflagration that would otherwise be caused by the somewhat highly combustible liquid hydrocarbon.

The container 3 may also be vented by the pipe 23 that may run up considerable height. The pipe 23 will prevent an abnormal pres sure in the container and yet permit the system to function under the operations of the pump.

We'cla1m:

1. In a fabric cleansing tem, a caustic treatin cleansing liquid container, the con tainer having a drum located in spaced relation with respect to the walls and bottom of the container and near the bottom of the container the drum havin relatively small openings at the top and t e bottom of the drum and means for directing the cleansing liquid to a point within the drum.

2. In a fabric cleansing system, a caustic treating cleansing container, the container having an inverted cone shaped bottom and a drum formed of a pair of cone shaped portions, one part being inverted cone shaped, the drum having openings at the apices of the cone shaped portions, the drum located in spaced relation with respect to the walls and the bottom of the container and means for directing the cleansing liquid to a point within the drum.

3. In a fabric cleansing system, a caustic treatin cleansing liquid container, the container having a drum located in spaced relation with respect to the walls and bottom of the container and near the bottom of the container, the drum having relatively small openings at the top and the bottom of the drum and means for directing the cleansing liquid to a point within the drum, a baffle plate located over and near the top of the drum.

4. In a fabric cleansing system, a caustic treatin cleansing liquid container, the container having a drum located in spaced relation with respect to the walls and bottom of the container and near the bottom of the container the drum having relatively small openings at the top and the bottom of the drum and means for directing the cleansing liquid to a point within the drum, a cone shaped baffle plate having its apex located above the edge of the battle plate, the bafile latelocated over and near the top of the rum.

5. In a fabric cleansing system, a caustic treating cleansing container, the container having an inverted cone shaped bottom and within the drum, a cone shaped bafiie plate a drum formed of a pair of cone shaped porhaving its apex located above the edge of tions, one part being inverted cone shaped, the baflie late, the baflle plate located over the drum having openings at the apices of and near t e top of the drum.

, the cone shaped portions, the drum located In testimony whereof, we have hereunto in spaced relation with respect to the walls signed our names to this specification. and the part of the container and means for MAURICE M. SCHW AB. directing the cleansing liquid to a. point SAMUEL S. SOHWAB. 

